Hat ironing machine or the like



Jan. 23, 1934. -J. F'. DoRAN A 1,944,655

HAT IRONING MACHINE on THE LIKE Filed Jan. 9, v19:52 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 BYms ATTORNEYS J. F. DORAN 'HAT IRONING MACHINE OR THE LIKE Jan. 23, 1934.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 9,` 1932 EY HIS ATTORNEYS Jan. 23, 1934. J.F. DoRAN 1,944,655

HAT IRONING MAGHIE OR THE-'LIKE Filed Jan. 9. 1932 5 sheets-sheet '3 BYHIS ATTORNEYS Jan. 23, 1934. J. F, DoRAN 1,944,655

HAT IRONING MACHINE OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 9, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 BY-Hls ATTORNEYS Jgn. 23, 1934.

J. F. DQRAN HAT IRONINGr MACHINE 0R THE LIKE 5 sheets-sheet 5 Filed Jan.9,- 1932l 4l. f l f W f, ww .W i /.Ll /llP/ y J5. M s a y f 9 0 M 4 f W2@ e a 223, 27 z 5 M /nnwb TORNEYS wwwa/f, wel f PATENT FFICE HATIRoNING MACHINE R THE LIKE James F. Doran, deceased, late of Danbury,Conn., by John C. Doran, executor, Danbury, Conn.

Application January 9, 1932. Serial No. 585,776

36 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for ironing and luring hats, suchas felt hats.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an apparatus of theabove-mentioned character which will be simple, practical, andthoroughly durable. Another object is to provide an apparatus of theabove character which will be eicient and reliable in operation. Anotherobject is to provide an apparatus of the above character which will beof ready and inexpensive manufacture. Another object is to provide anapparatus of the above character in which the hat operating tool maytr'averse dependably a comparatively large surface of the hat in a shortperiod of time. Another object is to provide an apparatus of the abovecharacter in which the speed of drive may be materially increased `inorder to change the character of operation without harm to the parts ordamage to the hat. Another object is to provide an apparatus of theabove character which is of wide application and easily adaptable tomany varied conditions of use. Another object of this invention is toprovide an apparatus of the above character in which the hat operatingtool is brought into contact with all portions of the surface of the hatcrown while exerting a substantially even pressure even though the hatcrown may be oval. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part lpointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exempli-Yed in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of theapplication of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of the variouspossible embodiments of this invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine ready for operation;

Figure 2 is a side elevation, on an enlarged scale, of certain parts ofthe machine, certain of the parts thereof being shown in section;

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View, on an enlargedscale, of a portion of the machine, more particularly of part of thedriving mechanism that is seen in elevation at the left hand end ofFigure 2;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 4 4 of Figure3;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 5--5 ofFigure 3;

Figure 6 isa horizontal sectional view as seen along the line 6 6 ofFigure 2;

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 7 7 of Figure3;

Figure 8 is a perspective View of one of the parts of the machine;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of another part of the machine;

Figure l0 is an elevation of certain parts of the machine, substantiallyas seen along the line 10-10 of Figure 2, these parts being shown on theright hand side of Figure 2;

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view of the parts shown in Figure 10and taken along the line 11--11 of Figure 2;

Figure 12 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 12-12 ofFigure 10; 7o

Figure 13 is a vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, takenalong the line 13-13 of Figure l1;

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic showing of the apparatus when operating onan oval shaped hat, and

Figure 15 is a similar diagrammatic view of the apparatus operating on ahat of circular crosssection.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of certain of the features ofthis invention, it might here be pointed out that in ironing machines,luring machines, and the like, considerable diiiiculty has beenexperienced in attempting to dependably apply the ironing tool to arotating hat body at a substantially constant pressure regardless of theposition of the tool as it traverses the body of a rotating hat.inasmuch as this tool must assume a plurality of positions about thecrown or body of the rotating hat, these positions being in diierentvertical planes and at various angles and varying with the cross-sectionof the hat, the problem of applying an even pressure of the tool againstthe hat at all times during this operation has constantly presentedmanifold difliculties. In order that the hat may be ironed and lured toperfection, it is highly desirable and most advantageous to achieve sucha constant pressure at all times during the ironing or luring operation.Furthermore, it has been found that in ironing or luring hats havingcrowns of different shapes, the problems mentioned above areaccentuated. For example, when a hat body having a substantiallycircular crown is being ironed, the operation may take place at acomparatively rapid speed due to the relatively simple movements of thetool as it moves about the rotating hat body. However,

if, for example, a hat body having an oval-shaped crown is being ironedor lured, with the body rotating about the center of the oval, the 'toolmust move toward and away from the axis of rotation several times duringeach rotation of the hat body, resulting not only in repeated variationsin the pressure on the hat but also in great irregularity of actionunless the speed of rotation is sufficiently reduced to permit the ironto readjust itself to the various positions it must assume nearer to orfarther away from the axis of the hat. A speed of rotation of the hatbody that is appropriate for ironing a round or circular crosssectionalhat is inappropriate for ironing a hat body of oval cross-section andvice versa. One of the various objects of this invention is to provide ahat ironing machine which; While operating successfully and efficiently,overcomes the above-mentioned diiculties, irrespective of thecross-section of the hat, as Well as many others ina practical,efficient and economical manner.

Referring now to Figure 1 in detail, there is shown a standard 10, whichmay be of any suitable construction, having mounted thereupon a frame11. Frame 11 may be secured to standard 10 in any reliable manner as,for example, by bolts generally indicated at 12, and is adapted to carrythe moving parts of my machine in a manner to be described more fullyhereinafter. Extending along the top of frame 11 is a bore 13 (Figure 2)running substantially parallel to the top of standard 10, whilerotatably mounted within bore 13 is a shaft 14 driven in a manner to bedescribed hereinafter.

Shaft 14 extends from the right hand side of frame 11, as Viewed inFigure 2, and upon this end of the shaft a hat block 15 may bedetachably mounted. Rigidly mounted upon this end of shaft 14 is asleeve 16 (Figure 2) and pivotally connected thereto and in suitableslots therein is a series of fingers, preferably three in number, andgenerally indicated at 17, a specific example of which is finger 18, allof these fingers being similar in construction. Finger 18 is pivoted tosleeve 16 at 19 and extends in a right hand direction, as viewed inFigure 2, into an annular recess 20 within hat block 15 when the blockis related to the shaft. The top surface of finger 18 curves upwardly toform a cam surface or the like, and seated between nger 18 and sleeve 16is a spring 21 acting to force the nger away from the sleeve or block.Block 15 has a central or axial recess 15a, into which is received a pin16a carried by sleeve 16 and extending coaxially with the shaft 14. Whenthe block is related to the right hand end of shaft 14, as viewed inFigure 2, fingers 18 hold the block in this position if pressure isexerted upon the fingers against the action of the springs 21.

Slidably mounted upon sleeve 16 and about fingers 18 is a collar 22(Figure 2), the right hand end of which has a cam surface 23 upon itsinner side. Accordingly, if collar 22 is forced in a right handdirection along fingers 17, cam surface 23, coacting with the camsurface upon the fingers, forces the ngers inwardly or against the hub24 of block 15. To force collar 22 in this direction, there is providedin the latter an annular recess or groove 25 within which rests a ring26. Pivotally connected to ring 26, preferably at points spaced 180about the latter, are two links 27 (one on each side of the apparatusand only one being shown in Figures 1 and 2) which are in turn pivotallyconnected to the lower forked end of a lever 28 as at points 29. Lever28 is pivotally mounted upon frame 11 in any convenient manner as at 28aand at a point spaced from pivotal connection 29.

Accordingly, one may actuate collar 22 in either direction by movinglever 28 and, if lever 28 is moved in a left hand direction, as view inFigure 2, collar 22 is moved in a right hand direction to force fingers17.against hub 24 of block 15 and thus hold the block in its operativeposition upon pin 16a. On the other hand, if lever 28 is moved in aright hand direction to move collar 22 towardthe left, springs 21 actagainst fingers 18 to force the fingers out of engagement with the hubso that it may be released.

In order to hold the lever 28 in its effective position, as describedabove, there is provided a spring 30 connected to the lever and tostationary part 211 secured to frame 11. Inasmuch as spring 30 is of thetension type, thus acting to pull lever 28 in a left hand direction, asviewed in Figure 2, the hat block 15 is continuously held in positionupon pin 16a unless the operator wishes to release it by moving lever 28in a right hand direction 'against the tension of the spring.

Rigidly secured to lever 28 at its pivotal point 28a is an arm 32 andpivotally connected to arm 32 is a rod 33 extending downwardly, as moreclearly shown in Figurel. Pivotally connected to standard 10, at anyconvenient point as at 10a, is a foot treadle or lever 34 having rod 33suitably connected thereto. Accordingly, pressure exerted upon footlever 34 forces lever 28 in a right hand direction, as viewed in Figures1 and 2, against the action of spring 30 to release block 15 in themanner described above and, subsequent removal of this pressure, allowsspring 30 to pull back lever 28 and move fingers 17 into their grippingposition, as has been described above. In this manner a hat block, suchas block 15, carrying a hat 35, may be secured to and held coaxiallywith shaft 14 in a reliable manner.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, there is a casing, generally indicatedat v31, mounted upon the left hand side of frame 11, as viewed in Figure1, and carrying a transmission or drive for shaft 14 adapted to coactwith certain other parts of the apparatus in a manner to be described indetail hereinafter. As is more clearly shown in Figure 8, it ispreferred to form casing 31 as a single piece which may be suitably castof iron or any other desirable metal. Formed upon the left end of casing31 is a ange 38 extending inwardly from the periphery of the casing(Figures 2 and 3). Suitable threaded holes 40 extending through fiange38 are disposed at intervals thereabout and, as shown in Figure 8,casing 31 tapers from a point near the end bearing ange 38 to itsopposite end 41 which will hereinafter be termed the forward end. 'Iheinner diameter of end 41, formed by a flange 41a (Figure 3), is suchthat flange 41a ts into a bezel or recess 42 (Figures 2 and 3) formedupon frame 11 and concentric with the bore 13 in which shaft 14 rotates.

Turning to Figures 2 and 3, a bracket-like portion 43 of casing 31extends downwardly substantially parallel to the left hand side or endof frame 11. The downwardly extending arm 43 is preferably castintegrally with the casing 31 and rigidity and great strength areprovided by the integrally cast wings or ribs 43a and 436 (Figures 2 and3) and ribs 43e and 43d (Figure 7) extending at right angles to eachother. Thus lpart 43 Ihas great resistance to any tendency to bend orwarp.

Immediately tothe right of the lower end of arm 43 (see Figure 2), theframe 11 is bored out and threaded to receive a short and relativelyheavy stud 45, preferably of steel and of great rigidity. The stud 45 isshouldered so that it may be tightly threaded into place with theshoulder 45a and brought up against the face of frame 11, thus not onlysecurely anchoring the stud but also adding to its resistance to anytendency to bend. The left hand end of stud 45 is threaded and, as thecasing 31 is fitted onto frame 11 by fitting flange 41a (Figure 3) intothe bezel 42, the lower end of bracket 43, being suitably apertured, isreceived onto the stud 45 where it is tightly clamped in place by nuts44 and 46 which are threaded onto stud 45.

Stud 45 acts as a cantilever for supporting casing 31 (see Figure l) inits allotted position upon frame 11 and stud 45, due to its cantileveraction, supports casing 31 in proper association with frame 11 in anefficient manner.y When casing 31 is so positioned with stud 45 inplace, this cantilever action prevents displacement thereof' in anydirection. Accordingly, by utilizing a single means for securing casing31 to'frame 11, nevertheless, it is found to be amply sufficient and athoroughly reliable means for maintaining the casing in its operativeposition and for achieving certain other important coactions.

However, as is more clearly shown in Figure 7, it is also preferred toprovide a suitable number of set screws (Figure 7), such as screws 47'and 48, extending through suitable threaded openings 49 (Figure 8) and50 in flange 41a (Figure 3). Set screws 47 and 48 extend intosubstantially countersunk recesses 51 and 52 (Figure 7) upon the surfaceof recess 42. Accordingly, set screws 47 and 48 act as an additionalsecuring agent to prevent any endwise displacement of casing 31 fromframe 11. Screws 47 and 48 coact with stud 45 to hold the casing in itsproper position, but should these screws become loosened, stud 45, dueto its cantilever action, as described above, still continues to supportcasing 31. By securing casing 31 to frame 11 in this simple andthoroughly practical manner, one insures an efficient operation of themechanism carried thereby and of the machine without hazarding abreakdown which might ensue should the casing become dislodged from theframe.

Extending from the left of casing 31, as is best shown in Figures 7 and8, is'a dished flange 53, the axis of which is substantially at rightangles to the axis of flange 38. Flange 53 is integrally cast withcasing 31 and also with the reinforcing rib 43d (Figure 7) and thus therigidity of depending arm 43 is further increased and the rigid supportof stud 45 is thus directly transmitted to flange 53 and the parts itcarries. The extreme edge of 4dished flange 53 is bezeled as at 54(Figure 7) and fitted thereover is the end of the frame or casing 55 ofan electric motor generally indicated at 56. The latter may be ofstandard construction and preferably is. Extending from the frame 55 ofmotor 56 is a series of stud bolts generally indicated in Figure 7 at 58and, as more clearly shown in Figure 8, bolts 58 extend through holes 59in the flange 53, thereafter to receive nuts 61 (Figures 3 and 7)threaded thereon. Flange 53 is formed or cast as at 60 (Figure 8) toprovide space for the nuts 61 to be brought up tightly and thus to drawand hold motor 56 flush against flange 53 in the resisted by thecantilever stud 45, the latter position shown in Figure 7. Flange 53,moreover, is provided with notches or recesses 53a about its periphery,illustratively four in number and three of which are better shown inFigure 8, while two of which clearly appear in Figure 7, and into theserecesses 53a are received or fitted lugs or projections 58a of the frameor casing 55 of the motor 56, thus assuring a nice intertting orinterengagement of motor, frame and ange 53.

Motor 56 is preferably of the universal type adapted to operate oneither direct or alternating current according to the particular needsof the user of the machine. Furthermore, as motorl 56 is securelyattached to casing 31, it is reliably secured to the machine against anypossible displacement. The tendency for the weight of the motor 56 toswing the casing 31 in counter-clockwise'direction, as viewed in Figure7, is reliably together with the interiitting parts 41a and 42 (Figures2 and 3) insuring a dependable transmission of the weight of all theseparts to the main frame 11.

This mounting of the casing 31 and its related 100 parts is importantand achieves many great advantages; certain of the coactions of themounting of this casing 31 with vcertain other features of the inventionsuch as the control of the drive of the machine from motor 56, will bedescribed more fully hereinafter.

Turning now to Figure 3, an end plate 62 ts over opening 39 (Figure 8)in casing 31, the outer portion thereof being in registry with ange 38.Suitable cap screws 63 extend through 110 end plate 62 and are threadedinto holes 40 in flange 38 to secure the end plate in this position.Formed substantially at the center of en d plate 62 is flanged opening64 having its surface bezeled as at 65 to receive the outer race of ananti- 115 friction radial and thrust bearing 66. Bearing 66 may be ofany suitable character, although it is preferred to use a ball bearingin this instance. Upon leaving bore 13, a reduced end portion 67 ofshaft 14 extends through casing 120 31; the left hand end of end portion67 is reduced as at 139 to receive the inner race 141 of the bearing 66.A nut 140 is threaded upon end 139 of shaft 14 and clamps in place therace 141 of bearing 66 so that race 141 rotates with shaft 125 14.Closing over the end 139 of the shaft is a cup-shaped member 142 lyingflush against end plate 62 and secured thereto preferably by screws 143;thus casing 31 is dependably closed.

Fitting rotatably about portion 67 of shaft 14 130 is a bearing bushing144 (Figure 3) of any suitable metal as, for example, bronze. Rigidlymounted upon bearing bushing 144 is a sleeve 145 and secured thereto atits right hand endI is a worm wheel 146. Worm wheel 146 is con nected tosleeve 145 by way of a set screw 147 threaded through the hub of wormwheel 146 and received into a recess in the sleeve. Also, it ispreferred to key the worm wheel 146 and sleeve 145 together as by thekey 148. Thus worm wheel 146 and sleeve 145 are reliably securedtogether against any possible relative movement.

Meshing with worm wheel 146 is a worm 149 which in turn is secured, asby key 157, to a shaft 150, as is more clearly shown in Figure 7. Casing31 is bored out coaxially as at 151 and 152 (Figure 7) to receive theouter races 162 and 153 respectively of two ball bearings, the innerraces 161 and 154 of which are fitted upon shaft 150. Inner race 154rests against an enlarged part 150 155 of shaft 150 and a sleeve 156 isinterposed between race 154 and the left end of worm 149. Against theright hand end of worm 149 abuts a sleeve 159 upon a bezel of whichinner race 161 is mounted preferably projecting beyond the sleeve 159.The right hand end of shaft 150 is threaded to receive a nut 164 and alock-nut 163.

A lock washer 165 may be interposed between the nut 164 and sleeve 159.The nut 164, when tightened,'c1amps the parts 161, 159, 149, 156 and 154between itself and the shoulder formed by the enlarged part 155 of theshaft; thus these parts are made dependably to rotate with the shaft 150and the latter is thus mounted. There is also provided a cup-shapedmember 166 (Figures 7, 4 and 1) fitted over the end of shaft 150 andsecured to casing 31 by screws 167 threaded into the casing. Thus thisyening in the casing 31 is also dependably closed.

Still referring to Figure 7, connected to armature or rotor 168 of motor56 is the motor shaft 169 preferably resting within a suitable bearing170 associated with frame 55 of the motor. Extending from the right handend of shaft 169 (Figure 7) is a projection 171 fitted into acorresponding recess in the left hand end of shaft 150. Thus the twoshafts are dependably aligned. To effect a driving connectiontherebetween, there is provided a transverse slot 172 in shaft 150 (seeFigure 4) into which cross portions 173 of shaft 169 extend, these partsbeing so proportioned that a snug fit is formed therebetween. In thismanner shaft 169 is secured to shaft 150 in a simple and reliable mannerand well adapted to withstand the wear and tear of operation.

When motor 56 (Figure 7) is operating, shaft 150 is rotated by motorshaft 169, this rotation taking place free from undue binding orfriction due to their alignment and due to the bearings so that worm149, while being free to rotate with the shaft, is securely held againstendwise movement or movement in a direction parallel to the axis ofshaft 150. As described above, worm 149 meshes with worm wheel 146 and,therefore, when worm 149 is rotating, worm Wheel 146 also rotates. Dueto the fact that sleeve 145 is secured to Worm wheel 146, this sleeve isrotated and such rotation takes place independently of any motion ineither direction of shaft 14, bushing 144, preferably of bronze,rotating with the sleeve 145 and providing a good bearing surface forsuch relative rotation.

As is more lclearly shown at the left in Figure 3, substantiallyadjacent opening 64 in end plate 62 is an inwardly extending annularflange 174, integrally formed with the plate 62, upon which is rotatablymounted one side plate or disk-like member 175 of an inner housinggenerally indicated at 176 (Figures 3, 4 and 5). The other side plate177 (Figure 3) of housing 176 is also disk-like and rotatably mountedupon sleeve 145, having a bearing upon the latter at 177a.. Side plates175 and 177 are connected by a pair of transverse parts 178 and 179, asmore clearly shown in Figure 5. Parts 178 and 179 are substantiallyportions of a cylindrical drum connecting the plates 175 and 177, thedrum being cut away to leave the parts 178 .and 179 sufficiently spacedto allow for the mounting therebetween of the various rotatable partsshown, for example in Figure 5, and to be described more fully'hereinafter. Preferably housing 176 is an integral part and may beformed integrally into the above-described connected parts by castingfrom any desirable metal.

As is more clearly shown in Figure 3, a pair of stud shafts 180 and 181bridge side plates 175 and 177 of housing 176. Theaxes of shafts 180 and181 are preferably diame'trically opposed with respect to the axis ofshaft 14, as is better shown in Figure 5. In order to rigidly secureshafts 180 and 181 against displacement and to prevent rotation thereof,taper pins 183 and 184 (Figure 3) extend preferably from the edge ofside plate 175 through the shafts.

Rotatably disposed upon shafts 180 and 181 are bearing bushings 185 and186 respectively (Figure 3) and fxedly mounted thereupon arerespectively pinions 187 and 188 meshing with a pinion 189 (Figures 3and 5). Pinion 189 is preferably an integral part of sleeve 145 (Figure3).

Pinions 190 and 191 are also xedly mounted upon bushings 185 and 186respectively (Figure 3) and preferably are respectively'integral withpinions 187 and 188. Accordingly, pinions 191- 188 rotate about shaft181 and pinions 190-187 rotate about shaft 180 (Figures 3 and 5).Pinions 190 and 191 mesh with a pinion 192 positioned to the left ofpinion 189 at/the left end of sleeve 145, as viewed in Figure 3. Thuspinions 192 and 189 are disposed between side plates 175 and 177 ofhousing 176, while the latter will be seen to be mounted for rotationabout the axis of shaft 14 with which pinions 192 and 189 are coaxial.Pinion 192 is rigidly mounted upon portion 67 of shaft 14 and is securedagainst axial displacement by a set screw 193 extending through a hubportion 194 of the pinion into the shaft, as is best shown in Figure 3,and is made 110 to rotate with shaft 14 by a key 195 fitted betweenpinion 192 and portion.67 of shaft 14.

Turning now to Figures 4 and 5, a stud shaft 196 is disposed betweenside plates 175 and 177 of housing 176 and pivoted thereupon is whatshall 115 hereafter be termed a pawl member 197. As is more clearlyshown in Figure 9, pawl member 197 is shaped to provide a part includinga downwardly extending portion 198 carrying gear teethy 199 of the samepitch as the teeth of pinion 192 120 on shaft 14, and a lug or lever arm200 extending upwardly above the axis of the pawl, as viewed in thisfigure. Pawl 197 is bored out as at 197a to receive shaft 196; thelatter, acting as the axis about which pawl 197 pivots, iscircumferentially 125 spaced from shafts 180 and 181, as is best shownin Figures 4 and 5. Furthermore, gear portion 198 (Figure 9) of pawl 197is displaced axially from the lever portion 200 and, when mounted onshaft 196. gear portion 198 is in substantial 130 alignment with pinion192 and pinions 190 and 191 (see also Figure 2). However, lug 200(Figures 2 and 4) due to this displacement, is brought into a positionwhere it overlaps side plate 177 of housing 176, the side plate 177being cut away (Figure 4) for this purpose. Teeth 199 of pawl 197 are soproportioned that they may mesh with the teeth of pinion 192 (Figure 4).

Projecting radially outwardly from part 179 (Figure 5) of housing 176 isa lug 201 and extending between lug 201 and lug or lever arm 200 of pawl197 is a tension spring 202. Consequently spring 202 moves pawl 197about its axis and forces teeth 199 thereof into mesh with pinion 192.The shaft 196, upon which pawl 197 pivots, is so spaced from theperiphery of pinion 191 (Figures 4 and 5) that, when teeth 199 of pawl197 mesh with pinion 192, portion 198 of the pawl swings over againstthe teeth of pinion 191. Accordingly, when pawl 197 is in the full-line150 position shown in Figure 4, clockwise rotation -of housing 176causes a like rotation of pinion 4 and 5) prevents pawl 197 fromswinging about shaft 196 beyond this full-line position. On the otherhand, pinion 192 may be rotated clockwise (Figures 4 and 5) relative tohousing 176, spring 202 yieldingly permitting the teeth of pinion 192 toby-pass those on the pawl.

As is more clearly shown in Figure 4, the peripheral portions of sideplate 177 are cut away in the region of pawl 197 to provide alsoclearance for lug 200 of pawl 197. Furthermore, side plate 175 is soshaped as to present a face or shoulder 203 to one side of lug 200 and,consequently, pawl 197 comes into contact therewith when pivoting aboutits axis against the tension of spring 202 to assume the dotted lineposition shown in Figure 4.

Referring now to the upper right hand portion of Figure 3, a plunger 204is slidably mounted within a suitable sleeve-like extension 205 (seeFigure 8) of casing 31. Plunger 204 is free to slide in either directionparallel to the axis of shaft 14 and consequently toward and away fromhousing 176. As is more clearly shown in Figure 2, plunger 204 isconnected by a link 206 to the lower end 208 of lever 209. Lever 209 ispreferably pivotally mounted upon a stud shaft 210 extending from alatch member 211 secured to the top side of frame 11. Upon the uppercurved face of locking member 211 are two slots 212 and 213 into which alatch rod 214 is adapted to t; the latter is preferably slidably relatedto lever 209 and may be actuated to disengage from a slot in anysuitable manner as, for example, by a knob or button 215 adapted to actagainst a spring 216. Thus, lever 209 may be held in one of twopositions according to which of slots 212 and 213 rod 214 interts. Whenlever 209 is in the position shown in Figure 2, plunger 204 ispositioned within housing 205 but if the lever is moved to its righthand position, as viewed in Figure 2, plunger 204 is extended intocasing 31 and into substantial alignment with side plate 175 and lug 200of pawl 197.

Let it' be assumed that plunger 204 is withdrawn and hence is in theposition shown in Figure 3 so that lever 209 is in the position shown inFigure 2 and also that motor 56 is operating to rotate shaft 150 (Figure7). Worm 149 rotates worm wheel 146 (Figure 3). Worm wheel 146, which isconnected to pinion 189 by way of sleeve 145, rotates pinion 189 aboutshaft portion 67 (Figure 3) As is best shown in Figure 4, spring 202,when unimpeded, tends to move and hold pawl 197 in mesh with pinion 192.Consequently pinion 189, if driven in clockwise direction as viewed inFigures 4 and 5, and it is in this direction that it is driven by theworm and worm wheel above mentioned, will cause pinions 188-191 (alsopinions IS7-190) to rotate together with the housing 176 in which theseparts are mounted in a clockwise direction around pinion 192 becausehousing 176 is free to rotate about the axis of shaft 14 and drivingpinion 189 is of a larger diameter than driven pinion 192; but this isthe direction that causes the teeth 199 in pawl 197 to ride into meshwith the teeth of pinion 192. Hence pawl 197 is swung in clockwisedirection about its shaft 196 (Figures 4 and 5), bringing up against thepinionl 191 into the full line position of Figure 4. Pinion 191 thusacts as a stop for pawl 197 and the latter prei vents relative rotationof the above-mentioned 197, rotates the entire housing 176 with thepinpinions. However, as described above, pinion 192 is secured toportion.67 of shaft 14 and therefore the pinion 189, when the aboveparts are in this non-rotating position as determined by the pawl ionscarried by it about the axis of shaft 14 and, through pawl 197, drivesthe shaft 14. Thus there is achieved a direct drive from 4the motorthrough worm 149 and worm wheel 146 at a speed determined by the gearratio of the latter. The purpose and coaction of this driving speed withcertain other features ofthe invention will be described more fullyhereinafter.

When it is desired to drive shaft 14 at a greater speed (as is pointedout hereinafter), lever 209 is moved into its right hand position asviewed in Figure 2 and hence into that position in which latch rod 214interts with slot 212. Consequently, during the movement of lever 209 inthis direction, plunger 204 (Figures 2 and 3) is moved to the left,toward the rotating inner housing 176. It first abuts against the sideplate 177 until the cut-out 203 (Figure 4) in the latter, which isrotating in a clockwise direction as viewed and as indicated by thearrows in Figures 4 and 5, is 100 brought around to plunger 204 when itslides off the face of the plate 177 and is positioned in the path ofthe lever arm or lug 200 of pawl 197. The motion of rotating housing 176carries the pawl 197 toward the plunger rod 204 whereupon lever arm 200engages the rod 204 and swings the pawl 197 out of mesh with pinion 192and against shoulder 203 of side plate 175 so that it assumes thedotted-line position shown in Figure 4. Furthermore, plunger 204 thusstops the rotation of housing 176. With the parts in this position, allof the pinions mounted within and associated with housing 176' are freeto rotate, while rotation of the housing is prevented.

Now the drive of shaft 14 is at a different speed. 115 Pinion 189 isstill rotated as it was previously for it is connectedy to worm wheel146 by way of sleeve 145. Pinion 189 now rotates smaller pinions 187 and188 which in turn rotate the larger pinions 190 and 191 respectively. Asthese larger pinions 190 and 191 mesh with the smaller pinion 192, whichis rigidly secured to portion 67 of shaft 14, rotation of the shaft isaccordingly achieved through this train of gears and, furthermore, dueto the gear ratios of the successive pinions, the speed of shaft 14 ismaterially increased as compared to the speed achieved by the directworm drive described above. The purpose and coaction of this fasterspeed with certain other features of the invention will be describedmore fully hereinafter.

Turning to Figures 1 and 2, it will now be clear that, when lever 209 isin the position shown in the drawings, so that plunger 204 is out of thepath of movement of side plate 175 of housing 176, a slow speed (forpurposes described hereinafter) of shaft 14 results when motor 56(Figure 7) is operating. However, when a greater speed is required (forpurposes described hereinafter), it is merely necessary to move lever209 140 to the right into its other position in order to cause shaft 14to be driven at a rapid speed in the manner described above.

In order to lubricate the various moving parts contained within casing31, there is preferably 145 provided an oil cup 217 or the like, as moreclearly shown in Figure 3. Also, the casing 31, being closed entirely,one may, if desired, fill the casing with a suitable grease or likelubricant, and Ilm the mechanism submerged in lubricant. The 150 variousclosures tc the .zasing 81 nay be gasketed if desired.'

Formed Within and preferably integral with the top portion of frame 11,as is best seen in Figure 2, is a casing 68 within which is a worm 69sleeved upon and rigidly secured to `shaft 14. Worm 69 meshes with aworm wheel 70 rotatably mounted, as described below, and rotating withina suitable round opening 71 in frame 11. As is more clearly shown inFigure 1, there is provided an arm 72 preferably pivotally'mounted upona stud 36, or the like, extending from frame 11 to one side of opening71. Worm wheel 70 is rotatably carried byparm 72 by way of a stud shaft73 carried by arm 72. The right hand end of arm 72 as viewed in Figure1, lies within an L-shaped part 74, the lower end of which carries avertically mounted screw 74a extending therethrough toward arm 72. Part74 is connected to frame 11 by a pin 75 or the like eccentricallymounted in shaft 76. The latter is rotatably mounted in frame 11 and ismanually rotatable by a handle 76a so that by rotation thereof avertical movement of worm wheel into or out of mesh with worm 69 may beachieved. Thus, by swinging rthe handle 76a to raise and lower theeccentric pin 75, the worm wheel 70 may be engaged with the worm 69 onthe driven shaft 14 or disengaged therefrom, for a purpose to-bedescribed more clearly hereinafter.

The arm 72 engages the upper end of the adjusting screw 74a (Figure 1)so that the relation between arm 72 and the part 74 may be adjusted andthetightness with which the worm wheel 70 and the worm 69 are broughtinto mesh prede-v termined; the same adjustment may be utilized to takeup wear of these gears or their teeth.

A connecting rod 77 is eccentrically pivoted to worm wheel 70 preferablyby way of a stud bolt 37 and in turn pivotally connected to a verticalarm 78, as viewed in Figures 1 and 2, of a rack 79 which is slidablymounted in suitable bearings 79a and 79b in the frame 11. Rack 79extends toward the right or to the front of the machine. When shaft 14is rotated at either of the speeds above mentioned, worm wheel 70rotates therewith, thus causing connecting rod 77 to impart areciprocating movement to rack 79. Rigidly secured to shaft 73 is an arm38 carrying a weight 38a, the weight of which is suflicient to insurerotation of worm wheel 70 when arm 77 is in a dead center position. l

Turning back to Figure 2, there is shown an arm 80 integrallyformed'with and extending from frame 11 in a right hand direction, asviewed therein, upon which is preferably formed a vertically extendingsleeve-like member 81. A shaft 82 is rotatably fitted within member 81and carries upon its top portion a pinion 83 meshing with rack 79, as ismore clearly shown in Figure 6. Accordingly, as reciprocating motion isimparted to rack 79,v in the manner described above, oscillatoryrotation is imparted to gear 83 and hence to shaft 82 and its connectedparts, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

As is best shown in Figures 2 and 6, the upper end of the shaft 82 isprovided with a longitudinally extending platform or table 82a in theupper face of which are formed Ways 82b-82c in which is seated aplate-like arm 84. Preferably there is provided a slot in arm 84 throughwhich a screw 86 extends, this screw being threaded into table 82a. Bymeans of bolt 86, the arm 84 is clamped to the tableportion 82a whilethe slot 85 permits the arm 84 to be adjustably positioned along theWays 82b-82c, for a purpose described hereinafter. To give a greaterrange of adjustment to the arm 84 lengthwise of the ways, one may andpreferably provides in the table portion 82a another threaded hole 87into which one may engage and thread the clamping screw 86 and thus givethe slot 85 a different range of adjustment to the arm 84. As the rack79 is thus reciprocated, shaft 82 is given an oscillatory rotary motionand arm 84 is swung back and forth through an arc substantially 180, ormore .or less, having its center at the axis of the shaft 82. As appearsclearly from Figures 1 and 2, this center or axis of the are of swing ofthe arm 84 is underneath the rotating hat block 15 and somewhat near orto the left of its longitudinal center point.

The weight of shaft 82 and the parts carried thereby is carried by theupper end of the sleevelke bearing 81 (Figure 2) against which thepinionor gear portion 83 rests, these parts being preferably providedwith substantial areas of bearing surface. The lower end of shaft 82which, to achieve greater lightness, may be hollow as shown in Figure 2,is exteriorly threaded to receive a nut 82d, locked by a, lock nut 82e,thus to hold the shaft 82 and its related parts in proper assembledrelation to the bearing 81.

Mounted upon arm 84, in a manner to be described hereinafter, is a hatfinishing tool 88 which preferably takes the form of an electricallyheated iron. Tool 88 is in engagement with the hat on the block l5 andwhen pressed against hat 35, in a manner to be presently described, andwhen shaft 14 is rotating to rotate block 15 with hat 35 and impartmotion to arm 84, moving in the above-described arc, the swinging tool88 traverses the crown of the rotating hat. As is often the case it maybe necessary to iron or lure hats of dierent sizes and shapes and inorder that tool 88 may be made to pass about such hats in a dependablemanner it is merely necessary to loosen bolt 86 and move arm 84 to thelength best suited to the particular size or shape of the hat beingironed.

Still referring to` Figure 2, the right hand end of arm 84 has formedthereupon a portion 89 bored out in a direction crosswise of arm 84 andcarrying upon its top side a series of ratchet teeth 90. As is moreclearly shown in Figure 11, a stud shaft 91 extends through the bore ofportion 89 and is rigidly held therein against rotation by a set screw92 extending through portion 89 (Figure 2). Fitted about portion 89 is acasing 94 (Figures 10 and 11), one side Wing 94a of which extendsdownwardly, as viewed in Figure 11, and has the shaft 91 passedtherethrough. An intermediate wing 94h of the housing 94 (Figures 10 and11) extends downwardly along the .other side of the portion 89 andlikewise has the shaft 91 passed therethrough, thence the casing 94 isextended to the right, as viewed in Figures 10 and 11, and is given asubstantially cylindrical shape as at 94e (Figure 13) its outermost sideWall 94d (Figures 10 and 11) being also apertured to receive the righthand end of the shaft 91. This cylindrical housing portion of the casing94 houses a coiled or spiral spring 106, in a manner described in detailhereinafter, spring 106 acting to tend to swing the housing 94, andparts carried thereby, in counter-clockwise direction about the axis ofstud shaft 91, as viewed in Figures 2 and 13.

The outermost side wall 94d of the casing 94 Cri is made detachableinany suitable way to permit the mounting of the spring 106.

The part 94, thus adapted to pivot about the shaft 91 (see Figures 2,10, 11 and 13), has formed thereon an upwardly directed boss 112 whichis bored out to receive a stud shaft 116 (Figures 2 and 11) and, asappears clearly in Figure 2, the part 94 has an integrally formedbracket 96 extending toward the right and bored out to receive the lowerend of a tubular member 97 which is rigidly secured in place in anysuitable manner.

At its upper end, the tubular support 97 extends through a suitableaperture in the member 98 which is rigidly secured thereto in anysuitable way, member 98 extending to the left (Figures 2 and l) intosubstantial parallelism with the lower bracket-like extension 96 of thehousing part 94. I

The left hand end of arm 98 is bored out as at 113, this bore beingcoaxial with the bore in the lower boss 112.

In the bore 113 is received a tubular trunnio-n 115 of a generallyrectangular shaped yoke 114 (see Figure 11) whose lower end is turned toprovide the trunnion 116 that is rotatably fitted in the bore of theboss 112 which thus forms a counterpart to the trunnion 115. The yoke114 is thus capable of freely oscillating about the vertical axis of thetrunnions 115 and 116.

The horizontally spaced side members 114e and 114D (Figure l1) of theyoke 11,4 are shaped to provide half -bearings in which rests a crossstud shaft 129 that is rigidly held in place by counterpart of thebearing members 114e (see Figure 1) that are held by screws 114d tosecurely clamp stud shaft 114 in place.

The ironing tool 88 (Figure 2) is provided with a heavy lug orextensio-n 133 through a suitable bore of which the shaft 129 extends,the toollug or extension 133 being received between and held againstmovement along the shaft 129 by lugs 131 and 132 (Figure 1) formedintegrally with the frame 114 and through suitable bores in which theshaft 129 passes.

By this construction, therefore, the tool 88 may relatively freelypivot, throughout a limited extent, about the horizontal axis providedby the shaft 129 (Figures 2 and 11) and may also pivot about thevertical axis of the trunnions 115-116, all while being traversedthroughout the arc of travel of the supporting arm 84 as the latterswings back and forth about the axis of the shaft 82 (Figure 2). Thepurpose of this mounting of the iron in the frame formed by the parts96- 97-98 (Figure 2) will be more clearly described hereinafter. Theconductors 134--135 that lead the current to the iron 88, mayconveniently be passed upwardly through the frame-tube 97 and thencethrough a flexible metal conduit 136 (Figure 2) one of whose endsextends and is secured in the upper end of the tube 97 and the other ofwhose ends passes through and is secured toy the hollow trunnion 115.Thus, the cable or conductors are nicely held in a position where theycannot become entangled as the tool traverses the hat.

During this traversing motion back and forth of the iron 88, throughoutthe arc of which the axis of shaft 82 (Figure 2) is the center, the iron88 is pressed against the hat on the block 15 by the action of thespring 106 (Figures 11 and 13). As above noted, spring 106 is within thecylindrical portion of the housing 94; it is made of suitable heavy flatspring steel stock and its one end 107 is received within a slot 108that extends axially along that portion of the shaft 91 that is withinthe spring housing; its other and outer end is bent into the shape of ahook 109 (Figure 13) which may be hooked into any one of several slots110 provided in the cylindrical wall of the spring housing 94e. The lefthand end of shaft 91 (Figures 10 and 11) is squared oil as at 91a toreceive a wrench or the .like so that, after the set screw 92 has beensuitably loosened up to free the shaft 91, shaft 91 may be manuallyrotated by the wrench or other suitable tool, thus yappropriately orsuitably to wind up or tension the spring 106, whereupon the set screw92 is driven home and the shaft 91 locked against rotation, the spring106 remaining tensioned. A wide range of tensioning may thus be giventhe spring 106 and this range may be further varied or increased byshifting the hook 109 (Figure 13) to any desired slot 110.

The tensioned spring 106 tends to swing the housing 94 and hence theframe and the iron 88 carried thereby in counter-clockwise direction, asviewed in Figures 1 and 2, and hence virtually determines the pressurewith which the iron 88 engages the hat 35. This pressure may have to bevaried from time to time depending upon various factors such as thequality of the fur felt hat body operated upon, the speed of rotation ofthe hat body, and other factors, and, by the construction abovedescribed, a wide range of different practical conditions may be quicklyand dependably met.

Turning now to Figure 11, it will be noted that the lower part of yokeor frame 114 is provided with a portion 121 immediately above thetrunnion 116; fitted about this portion 121 and rigidly connectedthereto is a cross-arm 1'19 (Figures 12 and l0) member 119 partaking ofwhatever oscillation about a vertical axis that frame 114 and hence theiron 88 is subjected to. The ends of the cross-arm 119 (Figure 12) areapertured so as to receive the reduced end portions of a substantiallyU-shaped or semi-circular yoke 117, the latter being held rigidlyconnected to the part 119 by nuts 120 threaded onto the reduced ends ofthe member 117. The member 117 has the curvature of the part of a circleand is mounted to be concentric with the axis of the trunnions 115 and116; it passes through a ring 123 that .is integrally formed with asleeve-like member 118 that is carried by the vertical frametube 97(Figure 2) to which it is rigidly secured as by a pin, as is indicatedin Figure 1. As the yoke 114 thus swings about its vertical axis, themember 117 (Figure 12) moves through the relatively stationary ring 123.

Near its ends, the member 117 carries collars 124 and 127 (Figure 12),the position of which along the member 117 may be determined and changedat will by sliding these collars along the part 117 and locking them intheir selected position as by the thumb screws 125 and 128.

Interposed between the collar 127 (Figure 12) and the ring 123 andextending about the member 117 is a helical spring 126 and, interposedbetween the other collar 124 and the ring 123, is a similar spring 122.The springs 126 and 122, reacting against the fixed ring 123 and uponthe adjustable collars 127 and 124 respectively. yieldingly hold theflat face of the ironing tool 88 substantially at right angles to thelongitudinal axis of the swinging arm 84 but permit a yielding swingingof the frame or yoke 114 about the axis of the trunnions of the latter.

As the hat 35 is rotated and the iron 88 made to traverse the hat crownthroughout a rang 150 'of about 130, the sp1ra1 spring 10e (Figures 11and 13) holds iron 88 in contact with the hat While the universalitself, automatically and always tangentially to the curved surface ofthe hat itself, this action being aided by thesprings 122 and 126(Figure 12) which aid in achieving the proper tangential relation of theiron to the hat, particularly as the latter moves from the side4portions of the crown to the top of the crown or vice versa. The regionthat joins the side or band portion of the crown with the tip or apex ofthe crown of the hat is called the square of the hat and its curvaturemay vary widely according to the style or shape of the crown operatedupon. If this square is of long radius of curvature, the at faced iron88 has relatively little difficulty in making the traverse but, as thesharpness of the curvature of this square increases, the dillicultiesconfronting the iron 88 increase; it is in this latter connectionparticularly that the springs 122 and 126 come into action in that theyinsure the maintenance of the tangential relation as the iron proceedsacross the square of the hat and prevent the iron from suddenly Hoppingfrom the tip to the band portion of the hat or vice versa. The action ofthe springs may be varied to meet the particular conditions met with inpractice by appropriately setting the adjustable collars 124 and 127(Figure 12), by which action the expansive forces of the springs areincreased and, correspondingly, the yieldability of the swinging of theiron about the axis of the trunnions of frame 114 diminished.

The above-mentioned peculiar actions are accentuated where the hat is ofoval cross-section as is indicated in Figure 14 and, in that case,-thepivoting of the iron 88 about the horizontal axis of the shaft 129(Figures 2 and l1) coacts to maintain the desired tangency at all times,the spring 106 (Figure 13) insuring the maintenance of good contactbetween the iron and'the hat block and permitting the former to movetoward and away from the axis of rotation of the oval shaped hat.

Certain other coactions between the various parts of the apparatus thusfar. described will be dealt with in detail hereinafter.

When it is desired to remove the hat block, the iron 88 is swung awayfrom the latter and is swung in clockwise direction, as viewed inFigures 1 and 2; more particularly, the operator grasps the handle 99,which is' preferably integrally formed with the bracket arm 98 (seeFigure 2), and swings the frame 98--97-96--94 in clockwise directionabout the axis of the shaft 91 (Figures 10 and l1), the wings 94a, 94hand 94d of the casing 94 (Figure 11) permitting this action to takeplace.

During this swinging action, the pawl 103 (Figure 2), pivoted on a pin101 held by a downwardly directed lug within the housing 94 (see Figuresl0 and 11), rides over the ratchet teeth 90, being spring-,urged intoengagement with the ratchet teeth by the spring 104 (Figure 2) that ishoused within the upper part of the handle 99 and which acts against thethumb knob or button 105 that projects from the handle 99 and which isconnected to a rod 100 that extends downwardly where it is pivotallyconnected to the right hand end of the pawl 103. Rod 100 is guided inits sliding movement by the bore 99a extending lengthwise through thehandle 99 and by a bore 96a provided in the bracket 96 that holds thelower end of the tubular support 97.

one of the ratchet teeth 90, depending upon the extent to which thehandle 99 with its associated f' parts is swung about the axis of theshaft 91, automatically, undery the action of spring 104, seating itselfagainst a tooth and thus holding the iron 88 and related parts away fromthe hat block. L

If desired, the above operation may be accompanied by a stoppage of theswinging traversing vmovement of the iron 88 in which case the handle76a (Figure l) is swung so as to disengage the worm wheel 70 from' theworm 69, whereupon the reciprocation of the rack 79 stops and theswinging movement of arm 84 ceases.

`The chuck which holds the hat block 15 may then be actuated either byhand, as by swinging the lever 28 (Figures 1 and 2) i-n clockwisedirection, or by the foot, by stepping upon the foot treadle 34 (Figurel), thus to move the chuck controlling collar 22 (Figure 2) to the leftto cause the lsprings 21 to move the gripping fingers 18 out ofengagement with the hat block. With the hat block 15 thus'released, thelatter may be removed and replaced with another hat block on which hasbeen mounted a hat. However, as will be pointed out hereinafter, meansis provided also for removing the hat 35 itself without removing theblock 15 from the chuck.

To bring the iron 88'back into operative contact with the hat 35, theoperator' presses the control knob 105 (.Figure 2) at the upper end ofhandle 99, thus lifting the pawl 103 out of engagement with the ratchetteeth, whereupon the spring 106 (Figures 1l and 13) swings theiron-supporting frame in counter-clockwise drection, as viewed inFigures 1 and 2, about the axis of shaft'91 and into engagement with thealready rotating hat, whereupon the actions above-described arerepeated.

If the hat being operated upon is an oval shaped hat, the speed ofrotation of the hat must-be appropriately apportioned or selected for,if the oval shaped hat rotates too rapidly, damage to the hat is liableto occur and great irregularity and non-uniformity of ironing achieved;certain aspects of these actions will be clear by reference to Figure 14in which an oval shaped hat 35a is shown as it would appear when viewedfrom the right in Figures 1 and 2, but with the iron 88 in engagementwith the side or band portion of the crown. If the speed is too great,substantially only the leading parts of those portions of the hat alongthe major axis of the oval would strike the iron 88 while the recedingparts of those portions as well as the portions adjacent the if at all.Accordingly,.\ when ironing an oval shaped hat, one shiftsthe controllever 209 (Figures 1 and 2) into the position shown in Figures 2 and 3,in which the control plunger 204 is withdrawn and is out of the path ofmovement of the lever arm 200 of the pawl 197 (Figures 9, 4 and 5). Thedriving. parts are then in the positions shown in Figures 4 and 5, and,the drive from the motor 56 (Figure 7) to the shaft 14 proceeds by wayof the worm 149 (Figures 3 and 4). wormwheel 146, driving sleeve 145(Figure 3) of the latter and from the latter directly to pinion 192, theintermediate pinion's and the auxiliary inner housing 176 (Figures 4 and5) rotating as a unit. This speed of drive is such that the shaft 14 andhence the oval shaped hat on the block 15 (Figures 1 and 2) are rotatedat a speed of about 40 or 50 R. P. M.

At this speed the above-described detrimental actions, mentioned inconnection with Figure 14, cannot take place and the iron 88, mountedand acting as above-described in detail, is made nicely and dependentlyto follow the varying contours and varying lengths of radii of the hatbody faithfully, achieving uniform ironing action without damage to thehat.

As the oval shaped hat body rotates and, particularly while the iron 88is acting upon the oval portions thereof, for example, as is indicatedin Figure 14, the pressure of the iron 88, caused by the spring 106(Figures 11 and 13), acts alternately to oppose the rotation of the hatand to aid its rotation, depending upon whether the oval shaped hat bodyis forcing the iron 88 away from the axis of the hat or is causing theiron 88, under the urge of the spring 106, to move inwardly toward theaxis of the hat and thus follow up the shortening radii of the latter.

This action causes peculiar reactions upon the drive of the shaft 14, ineffect, causing the torque necessary to rotate it to vary throughoutrelatively Wide ranges for each revolution of the hat. These reactionsare reected in the driving gearing interposed between the left hand endof the shaft 14 and the motor 56 and results in a pronounced tendency tooscillate the casing 31 (Figures 7 and 8) with the motor 56 carriedthereby about the axis of the shaft 14. It is in this connection, also,that the cantilever stud 45 (Figures 2 and 3) and the arm 43 extendingdownwardly from the housing 31 come into play.

The cantilever stud 45, as above pointed out, is rigid and has greatresistance to bending and the same is true of the depending arm 43;these tendencies to oscillate the housing 31 are transmitted by the arm43 to the cantilever stud 45 which dependably negatives these tendenciesand rigidly anchors and holds the casing 31 against such oscillation.Moreover, the widely varying and rapidly repeated torque that is thusimposed upon the housing 31 and which might otherwise easily loosen thehousing 31, is dependably negatived by this cantilever constructionwhose connection to the housing, through the relatively long arm 43(Figure 2), has a relatively long lever arm for resisting thesetorsional or twisting effects.

If the hat operated upon is of circular crosssection, as is indicated inFigure 15, the iron 88 maintains a substantially constant and relativelyinvariable distance from the axis of rotation of the round hat 35h ofFigure 15 and the above-described reactions are substantially eliminatedas is also the requirement for a correspondingly low rate of drive ofthe hat as is forced upon the apparatus if the hat is oval shaped, as isthe hat 35a of Figure 14. In this case, therefore, means is provided forsaving in time and for increasing the rate of production in that one isenabled, in accordance with certain features of the invention, to rotatethe round hat 35h at a greater rate of speed and correspondingly totraverse the iron 88 more rapidly about the hat.

Therefore, one shifts the control handle 209 (Figures 1 and 2) to theright, thus to move the control plunger 204 (Figures 2 and 3) to theleft and cause it to effect disengagement of the pawl 197 (Figures 4 and5) from the pinion 192 and to prevent rotation of the inner housing 176;the drive of shaft 14 and hence of the round hat then proceeds by a newchain of mechanism, already above-outlined, but which it may again bepointed out, proceeds from worm 149 (Figures 7 and 4), Worm wheel 146,driving sleeve 145 (Figure 3), pinion 189 which drives the smallerpinions 188 and 187, with which are coaxially mounted and by which aredriven the larger pinions 191 and 190 respectively, the latter drivingthe smaller pinion 192 on the portion 67 (Figure 3) ofthe main shaft 14,the ratio of these various gears being such that the shaft 14 is nowdriven at a higher speed than before, illustratively at a speed on theorder ofv 100 R. P. M.

Not only is the round hat rotated at a higher speed, but thereciprocations of the rack 79 (Figures 2 and 6) take place at a higherrate and the iron 88 is made to traverse the hat faster than ittraverses the oval shaped hat.

Thus, one is enabled eiciently and dependably to meet the varyingrequirements met with in practicev and to quickly condition theapparatus for operation upon the different shapes and kinds of hatbodies met with in practice. Also, it will be seen that one is enabledgreatly. to speedup production without impairment of uniformity and 100high quality of result. 1

As above pointed out, successive hat bodies may be operated upon bymounting the hat body on an appropriate hat block while the apparatus isitself operating upon another hat on another hat block; in such casesthe block-chuck is operated to replace block and hat as a unit. Inaccordance with certain other features of the invention, however, it ispossible to achieve a rapid and dependable mounting of the hat upon theblock itself without removing the latter from the apparatus, suchprocedure being in practice sometimes necessitated by various practicalconditions.

In such case, one leaves the hat block 15 securely gripped in the chuckand, after swinging 115 the iron 88 out of operative contact with thehat, the control lever 209 is moved to the left and into the positionshown in Figure 2 in which, as appears clearly from Figures 4 and 5, thepivoted pawl 197 is released and placed under the action 120 of itsspring 202. The rotation of the hat block is then halted as by operatingthe main switch 218 (Figure 1) which is included in the circuit of thedriving motor 56 (Figure 7). AIf at this time it is desired to swingiron 88 and its frame 125 to one side of the hat block, one operates thelever 76a (Figure 1) todisengage the worm wheel 70, whereupon one maymanually swing the iron with its frame and supporting arm 84 about theaxis of the shaft 82 (Figure 2) to a position to 130 the right or leftof the hat block, thus making the latter with its hat freely andunobstructedly accessible to the operator.

The hat may then be stripped off of the hat block 15 and, in the courseof this operation, the 135 operator may freely rotate the hat block andthe shaft 14 in one direction, the pawl 197 (see Figure 4) permittingsuch one-directional rotation freely to take place. The operator is thusenabled evenly and uniformly to apply the neces- 140 sary forces to thehat to take it off of the block 15.

The Anext hat body is then ready to be pulled or stretched onto the hatblock and, during this operation, uniform tensioning of the hat aboutits periphery should be exerted to stretch it over 145 the block; hereagain the freedom or rotation of the shaft 14 and the block 15 permittedby the pawl 197 (Figure 4), are of great advantage;

But the pawl 197 acts, as has already been made clear, to permitrotation in only one direc- 150 tion and hence to prevent rotationin theother direction. This is an important practical feature since, inpulling the hat onto the hat block 15, the operator cannot achieve speedand uniform action if the hat block is free to rotate in eitherdirection. But with my apparatus, the operator may, at any moment thatis necessary during the operation of stretching a hat onto the block,direct his forces so as to tend to rotate the hat block and the shaft insuch a direction that the pawl 197 halts both shaft and block and theoperator is thus enabled to obtain the necessary purchase on the hatbody and direct his forces against a fixed hat block and, by rotatingthe hat block in successive steps in the direction in which it ispermitted to rotate by the pawl 197, he can at any point in theperiphery of the hat achieve the xed relation of the block and theopposition to his applied forces that are necessary, all under theoperators control and simply by exerting' at will and as the needarises, such forces as are necessary and in the rotationaldirection asdesired. Thus, rapid and efficient mounting of the hat on the hat block,as well as dismounting thereof, may be reliably achieved.

Sometimes, the forces necessary to apply the hat to the hat block aresubstantial and where they are applied in a direction to tend to rotatethe shaft 14 against the holding action of the pawl 197 (Figure 4),correspondingly substantial forces are exerted upon the casing 31(Figure 2) in a direction tending to rotate the casing about the axis ofthe shaft 14; here again, however, the cantilever mounting 43-45 (Figure2) resists these forces and achieves a reliable anddependable'anchorage, in coaction with the pawl 197, of

the shaft 14 against rotation. Moreover, this cantilever mounting makesit possible for me to utilize, in the parts related thereto,constructions that are light in Weight as well as compact.

Recurring to Figure 1, it will be noted that the cable 13-7 that leadsthe conductors 134--135 (Figure 2) to the iron 88, leads to a rheostat138 mounted on a side of the pedestal or frame support 10 and, by meansof this rheostat, one may regulate or adjust the temperature at whichthe iron 88 operates.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided in this invention anapparatus in which the various objects hereinabove set forth togetherwith many thoroughly practical advantages are successfully achieved. Itwill be seen-that the apparatus is of a rugged construction anddependably uniform and eiiicient action throughout, and that it is welladapted to meet the varying requirements for practical use. For example,in this latter connection, it might be pointed out that, aside from theimportant coactions of the speed change mechanism with the shape of thehat operated upon, one may also utilize the achievement of the higherrate of drive of the l hat block for such other operations as luring, inthe course of which, the luring pad is held by hand against the rotatinghat body and, in the course of which operation, a higher speed, even onan oval shaped hat, may be utilized without any danger of harm coming tothe hat itself.

This application is a continuation in part of application Serial No.164,393, led January 29,

1927 patented January 12, 1932, Patent No.

' forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forthor shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted asillustrative and not in a limiting sense'.

What is claimed is:

v1. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, meansadapted to support and rotate a hat, a tool for operating on the hat, amovable support, said tool being spring-supported by said support andurged by the spring against said hat support, means for moving saidsupport to cause the tool to traverse the hat, a handle for manuallymoving said tool, a latch adapted to hold said tool away from said hatsupport in opposition to said spring, and means associated with saidhandle for controlling said latch.

2. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, meansadapted to support and rotate a hat, a tool for operating on the hat, amovable support, a frame pivoted tosaid support about an axis such thatsaid frame may move toward or away from said hat support, said framesupporting said tool, and a spiral tensioned spring coaxial with theaxis about which said frame pivots for yieldingly urging said frameabout its pivot, the pivotal connection between said frame and saidsupport including a shaft rigidly connected to one of its related parts,one end of said spring being anchored to said shaft, and means adaptedto permit rotation of said shaft and to lock it in place to determinethe tension of said l spring.

3. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, meansadapted to support and rotate a hat, a tool for operating on the hat, aframe, an auxiliary frame carrying said tool and pivotally supported insaid first frame, means for moving said rst frame in a path to cause thetool to traverse the hat on said. support, an arcuate member carried bysaid auxiliary frame and supported by said rst-mentioned frame coaxiallywith the axis of said auxiliary frame, means fixed to said rst frameadjacent said arcuate member, and a pair of springs on said arcuatemember, one on each side of said last-mentioned means.

4. In apparatus of the character.. described, in combination, meansadapted to support and rotate a hat, a tool for operating on the hat, aframe, an auxiliary frame carrying said tool and pivotally supported insaid first frame, means for moving said first frame in a path to causethe tool to traverse the hat on said support, an

arcuate member carried by said auxiliary frame and supported by saidfirst-mentioned frame coaxially with the axis of said auxiliary frame,means fixed to said first frame adjacent said arcuate member, a pair ofsprings on said arcuate member, one on each side of said last-mentionedmeans, and means for setting the tension of said springs.

5. In a hat ironing machine, in combination, a frame having a horizontalshaft, said shaft having a chuck at one end thereof for supporting a hatblock, an ironing tool, means for causing said ironing tool to traversethe crown of a hat on said hat block as the latter is rotated, said ironbeing yieldably urged toward said hat block, a casing tted to said frameadjacent the other end of said shaft, said frame and casing havingintertting parts coaxial with the axis of said shaft, an

electric motor carried by said casing, speed change mechanism withinsaid casing and interposed between said motor and said shaft, saidcasing having a cantilever arm extending therefrom and along said frame,and a cantilever stud project- Ving from said frame and rigidlyconnected with said arm for holding said casing against rotation aboutthe axis of -said shaft.

6. In a hat ironing machine, in combination, a frame having a horizontalshaft, said shaft having a chuck at one end thereof for supporting a hatblock, an ironing tool, means for causing said ironing tool to traversethe crown of a hat on said hat block as the latter is rotated, said ironbeing yieldably urged toward said hat block. a casing fitted to said'frame adjacent the other end of said shaft, said frame and casinghaving interfitting parts coaxial with the axis of said shaft, anelectric motor carried by said casing, speed change mechanism withinsaid casing and interposed between said motor and said shaft, and meansincluding a cantilever stud projecting from said frame for holding saidcasing to said frame.

7. In a hat ironing machine, in combination, a frame having a horizontalshaft, said shaft having a chuck at one end thereof for supporting a hatblock, an ironing tool, means for causing said ironing tool to traversethe crown of a hat on said hat block as the latter is rotated, said ironbeing yieldably urged toward said hat block, a casing fitted to saidframe adjacent the other end of said shaft, said frame and casing havingintertting parts coaxial with the axis of said shaft, an electric motor,speed reduction gearing within said casing having one member driven bysaid motor and having another member driving said shaft, and meansincluding a cantilever stud holding said casing to said frame andagainst rotation relative to the latter and against axial movement awayfrom said frame.

8. In a hat ironing machine, in combination, a frame having a shaftjournaled therein, a chuck at one end of said shaft for holding a hatblock, an iron, means for yieldably urging said iron against a hat onsaid block and for causing the iron to traverse the crown of a hat assaid block is rotated, a casing, said casing and said frame havingconcentric intertting parts coaxial with said shaft, a source of motivepower, speed reduction gearing within said casing for driving said shaftfrom said source of motive power, and means for preventing the cyclicthrust of said yieldingly urged iron against an oval shaped hat blockfrom rotating said casing, said means including a cantilever armextending from said casing and a cantilever arm extending from saidframe and substantially at right angles to said first-mentionedcantilever arm and rigidly interconnected therewith.

9. In a hat ironing machine, in combination, a frame having a shaftjournaled therein, a chuck at one end of said shaft for holding a hatblock, an iron, means for yieldably urging said iron against a hat onsaid block and for causing the iron to traverse the crown of a hat assaid block is rotated, a casing, said casing and said frame havingconcentric intertting parts coaxial with said shaft, a source of motivepower, speed reduction gearing within said casing for driving said shaftfrom said source of motive power, and means for preventing the cyclicthrust of said yieldingly urged iron against an oval shaped hat blockfrom rotating said casing, said means including a cantilever studprojecting from said frame at a point spaced from the axis of said shaftand substantially parallel to the latter and engaging said casing.

10, In a hat ironing machine, in combination, a frame having a shaftjournaled therein, a

chuck at one end of said shaft for holding a hat block, an iron, meansfor yieldably urging said iron against a hat on said block and forcausing the iron to traverse the crown of a hat as said block isrotated, a casing, said casing and said frame having concentricinterltting parts coaxial with said shaft, an electric motor carried bysaid casing, reduction gearing within said casing for driving said shaftfrom said motor, said gearing including a part adapted to rotate aboutthe axis of said'shaft, gear means rotatably mounted in said part, gearmeans mounted upon said shaft and coacting with said lastmentioned gearmeans, and means forming a driving connection between said motor andsaid first-mentioned gear means.

\ ll. In a hat ironing machine, in combination, a frame having a shaftjournaled therein, a chuck at one end of said shaftfor holding a hatblock, an iron, means for yieldably urging said iron against a hat onsaid block and for causing the iron to traverse the crown of a hat assaid block is rotated, a casing, said casing and said frame havingconcentric interiitting parts coaxial with said shaft, an electric motorcarried by said casing, reduction gearing within said casing for drivingsaid shaft from said motor, said gearing including a part rotatablymounted upon said shaft, a plurality of pinions rotatably mounted insaid part, a pinion fixedly' secured to said shaft and meshing with saidlast-mentioned pinions, and means forming a driving connection betweensaid motor and said plurality of pinions.

12. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a frame, ashaft rotatably mounted within said frame, a hat block affixed to saidshaft and adapted to receive a hat, a tool for operating upon the hat onsaid block, adriving mechanism for said shaft including a casing securedto said frame and coaxial with said shaft, said shaft extending intosaid casing, a pinion secured to said shaft within said casing, ahousing member rotatably mounted upon said shaft within said casing, aplurality of pinions mounted in said housing member and meshing withsaid first-mentionedpinion, motive means, and means forming a drivingconnection between said motive means and said plurality of pinions.

13, In apparatus of the character described, in combination, aframe, ashaft rotatably mounted within said frame, a hat block aixed to saidshaft and adapted to receive a hat, a tool for operating upon the hatkonsaid block, a driving mechanism for said shaft including a casingsecured to said frame and coaxial with said shaft, said shaft extendinginto said casing, a pinion secured to said shaft Within said casing, ahousing member rotatably mounted upon said shaft within said casing, aplurality'of pinions mounted in said housing member and meshing withsaid first-mentioned pinion, an electric motor secured to said casing,and means forming a driving connection between said motor and saidplurality of pinions.

14. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a frame, ashaft rotatably mounted Within said frame, a hat block aflixed to saidshaft and adapted to receive a hat, a tool for operating upon the hat onsaid block, a driving mechanism for said shaft including a casingsecured to said frame and coaxial with said shaft, said shaft extendinginto said casing, a pinion secured to said shaft within said casing, ahousing member rotatably mounted upon said shaft within said casing, aplurality of pinions mounted in'said housing member and meshing withsaid first-mentioned pinion, an electric motor secured to said casing,Aa gear member rotatably mounted upon said shaft, means forming a drivingconnection between said gear member and said motor, and means forming adriving connection between said gear member and said pluraltiy ofpinions.

15. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a frame, ashaft rotatably mounted within said frame, a hat block ailixed to saidshaft and adapted to receive a hat, a tool for operating upon the hat onsaid block, a driving mechanism for said shaft including a casingsecured to said frame and coaxial with said shaft, said shaft extendinginto said casing, a pinion secured to said shaft within said casing, ahousing member rotatably mounted upon said shaft within said casing, aplurality of pinions rotatably mounted within said housing member, saidpinions meshing with said first-mentioned pinion, a plurality of gearmembers mounted within 'said housing member and secured to said pinions,motive means, means forming a driving connection between said motivemeans and said plurality of gear members whereby rotation is imparted tosaid housing member relative to said shaft and through said plurality ofpinions to said shaft, and means for preventing relative movementbetween said housing member and said first-mentioned shaft.

16. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a frame, ashaft rotatably mounted within said frame, a hat block aflixed to saidshaft and adapted to receive a hat, a tool for operating upon the hat onsaid block, a driving mechanism for said,l shaft including a casingsecured to said frame and coaxial with said shaft, said shaft extendinginto said casing, a pinion secured to said shaft within said casing, ahousing member rotatably mounted upon said shaft within said casing, aplurality of pinions rotatably mounted within said housing member, saidpinions meshing with said first-mentioned pinion, a plurality of gearmembers mounted within said housing member and secured to said pinions,a sleeve member rotatably mounted upon said shaft, a pinion secured tosaid sleeve member and meshing with said plurality of gear members,motive means, and means forming a driving connection between said motivemeans and said sleeve member.

17. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a frame, ashaft rotatably mounted within said frame, a hat block affixed to saidshaft and adapted to receive a hat, a tool for operating upon the hat onsaid block, a driving mechanism for said shaft including a casingsecured to said frame and coaxial with said shaft, said shaft extendinginto said casing, a pinion secured to said shaft within said casing,

' a housing member rotatably mounted upon said shaft within said casing,a plurality of pinions rotatably mounted within said housing member,said pinions meshing with said first-mentioned pinion, a plurality ofgear members mounted within said housing member and secured to saidpinions, a sleeve member rotatably mounted upon said shaft, a pinionsecured to said sleeve member and meshing with said plurality of gearmembers, an electric motor secured to said casing, and means forming adriving connection between said electric motor and said sleeve member.

18. In apparatus of the character described,

in combination, a frame, a shaft rotatably mounted within said frame,ahat block affixed to said shaft and adapted to receive a hat, a toolfor operating upon the hat on said block, a driving mechanism for saidshaft including a casing secured to said frame and coaxial with saidshaft, saidshaft extending into said casing, a pinion secured to saidshaft within said casing, a housing member rotatably mounted upon saidshaft within said casing, a plurality of pinions rotatably mountedwithin said housing member, said pinions meshing with saidfirst-mentioned pinion, a plurality of gear members mounted within saidhousing member and secured to said pinions, a sleeve member rotatablyymounted upon said shaft, a pinion secured to said sleeve member andmeshing with said plurality of gear members, an electric motor securedto said casing, a gear member secured to said-sleeve member, a gearmember secured to the shaft of said motor and meshing with saidlast-mentioned gear member whereby actuation of said motor impartsrotation to said housing member relative to said shaft and rotation tosaid shaft through said plurality of pinions and said first-mentionedpinion, and means for preventing relative rotation of said housingmember and said shaft.

19. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a frame, ashaft rotatably mounted within said frame, a hat block aillxed to saidshaft and adapted to receive a hat, a

tool for operating upon the hat on said block,

to one of said plurality of pinions, a sleeve memy,

ber mounted upon said shaft, a gear element afIixed to said sleevemember and meshing with said gear members, a motor secured to saidcasing, gear members forming a driving connection between said motor andsaid sleeve member whereby upon actuation of said motor an indirectdriving connection is formed between said gear element and said shaftincluding said rotating housing member with the first-mentioned gearmembers and pinions carried thereby, and a stop member mounted on saidhousing member and adapted to jam with said first-mentioned pinion toprevent relative movement between said housing member and said shaftthereby to form a direct driving connection between said gea` elementand said shaft through said housing member.

20. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a framemember, a shaft rotatably mounted in said frame member, a hat blocksecured to said shaft and adapted to carry a hat, supporting meanspivotally mounted on an axis substantially at right angles vto the axisof said shaft, means for imparting oscillatory motion to said supportingmeans about its axis, a frame member pivotally connected to saidsupporting means about a horizontal axis substantially at right anglestothe axis of said supporting means and the axis of said shaft, an ironpivotally mounted in said last-mentioned frame member about an axissubstantially parallel with the axis of said supporting means, said ironbeing substantially adjacent said hat block, spring means associatedwith said last-mentioned frame member and adapted to yieldably supportvsaid iron in a plane substantially perpendicular to the radius throughsaid first-mentioned axis, and spring means associated with saidlast-mentioned frame member and said supporting means and adapted tourge said last-mentioned frame member about its pivotal point towardsaid hat block.

21. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a frame, ahorizontal shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, a hat block secured tosaid shaft, a supporting member pivotally mounted in said frame about anaxis substantially vertical with respect to said shaft, a shaft on saidsupporting member, a frame pivoted to said shaft and having a housingmovable with said frame about the axis of said shaft, an ironing toolsecured to said last-mentioned frame and substantially adjacent said hatblock, and a spring within said housing' and secured to saidlast-mentioned shaft and acting through said housing upon saidlast-mentioned frame and adapted to urge said last-mentioned frametoward said hat block continuously.

22. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a frame, ashaft rotatably mounted within said frame, means for aflixing a hatblock to one end of said shaft, the end portion of said shaft oppositesaid last-mentioned means extending beyond said frame, a casing coveringsaid end portion, an electric motor secured to said casing, means insaid casing forming a driving connection between said motor and saidshaft, and means including a single cantilever stud adapted to hold saidcasing to said frame against rotation relative to said frame and againstaxial movement away from said frame.

23. In apparatus of thel character described, in combination, a frame, ashaft rotatably mounted Within said frame, means for aftixing a hatblock to one end of said shaft, the end Vportion of said shaft oppositesaid last-mentioned means extending beyond said frame, a cup-shapedcasing covering said end portion, an electric motor secured to saidcasing, means in said casing forming a driving connection between saidmotor and said shaft, and means for securing said casing to said frameincluding a cantilever arm extending from said casing and a cantileverstud extending from said frame substantially at right angles to saidcantilever arm and rigidly interconnected there-v with.

24. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a frame, ashaft rotatably mounted within said frame, means for aflixing a hatblock to one end of said shaft, the end portion of said shaft oppositesaid last-mentioned means extending beyond said frame, a casing coveringsaid end portion, an electric motor secured to said casing, means insaid casing forming a driving connection between said motor and saidshaft, and means for securing said casing to said frame including an armextending from the bottom side thereof substantially at right angles tothe axis of said shaft to a point spaced below said shaft and secured tosaid frame substantially at said point.

25. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a frame, ashaft rotatably mounted within said frame, means for aii'ixing a hatblock to one end of said shaft, the end portion of said shaft oppositesaid last-mentioned means extending beyond said frame, a casing coveringsaid end portion, an electric motor secured to and extending away fromsaid casing, means in said casing forming a driving connection betweensaid motor and said shaft, and means for securing said casing to saidframe ,and for taking up certain reactions of said motoren said casingincluding a cantilever stud projecting from said frame.

26. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a frame, a.shaft rotatably mounted within said frame, means for affixing a hatblock to one end of said shaft, the end portion of said shaft oppositesaid last-mentioned means extend-- ing beyond said frame', a cup-shapedcasing extending over said end portion, an electric motor, a portion ofsaid casing fitting over a portion of said motor and secured thereto,means in said casing forming a driving connection between said motor andsaid shaft, and means securing said casing to said frame including acantilever arm extending from said casing along said frame and acantilever stud projecting from said frame and rigidly connected withsaid arm to prevent rotation of said casing about the axis of saidshaft.

27. In apparatus of the character described,'in combination, a frame, ashaft rotatably mounted within said frame, means for affixing a hatblock to one end of said shaft, the end portion of said shaft oppositesaid last-mentioned means extending beyond said frame, a casing fittingover said 1 5 exposed end portion, an electric motor, said casing havinga cup-shaped portion fitting over one end of said electric motor, meanssecuring said cup-shaped portion to said electric motor so that the axisofthe shaft of said motor is substantially at right angles to the axisof said first-mentioned shaft, and means in said casing including a worm'and Worm wheel forming a drivingconnection between said motor and saidshaft, a cantilever arm extending from the bottom of said 115 casing insubstantial alignment with said frame, and a cantilever stud projectingfrom said casing and rigidly secured to said arm at a point spaced fromsaid first-mentioned shaft, said arm and said stud cooperating to securesaid casing to said 120 frame and prevent rotation of said casing aboutthe axis of said first-mentioned shaft.

28. In apparatus of the character described) in combination, a frame, ashaft rotatably mounted within said frame, means for afiixing a hatblock to one end of said shaft, the end portion of said shaft oppositesaid last-mentioned means extending beyond said frame, a casing coveringsaid exposed end portion and secured to said frame, a motor secured to'said casing, a pinion secured to said shaft, means including aplurality of pinions forming a driving connection between said motor andsaid first-mentioned pinion for driving the latter at a certain speed,and means for forming a driving connection between said motor and saidfirst-mentioned pinion for driving the latter at a different speed. l

29. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a frame, ashaft rotatably mount-` ed within said frame, means for aflixing a.hat140 block to one end of said shaft, the end portion of said shaftopposite said last-mentioned means extending beyond said frame, a sleeverotatably mounted upon said shaft, an electric motor, means forming adriving connection between said 145 sleeve and said electric motor, apinion secured to said shaft, means including a plurality of pinionsforming a driving connection between said sleeve and saidfirst-mentioned pinion, and means operable at will for forming adifferent driving connection between said sleeve and saidfirst-mentioned pinion and thereby changing the driving relationtherebetween.

30. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a frame, ashaft rotatably mounted within said frame, means for aflixing a hatblock to one end of said shaft, the end portion of said shaft oppositesaid last-mentioned means extending beyond said frame, means forsupporting a motor in the vicinity of said exposed portion of saidshaft, means including a worm gear rotatably mounted upon said shaft and'forming a driving connection with the shaft driving element of saidmotor, a plurality of pinions mounted about said shaft and forming aspeed reduction mechanism, means for connecting said pinions to saidworm gear to form a driving connection between said motor and said shaftfor driving the latter at a certain speed, and means for jamming saidpinions to provide a driving connection between said worm gear and saidshaft for driving the latter at a different speed.

31. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a frame,'ashaft rotatably mounted within said frame, means for afxing a hat blockto one end of said shaft, the end portion of said shaft opposite saidlast-mentioned means extending beyond said frame, driving meansrotatably mounted upon said shaft, motive means for driving saidlast-mentioned means, a pinion secured to said shaft, a housing membertted about said shaft, a plurality of pinions mounted in said housingmember and forming a speed reducing connection between said drivingmeans and said first-mentioned pinion for driving the latter at acertain speed, and means operable at will for changing the operation ofsaid`secondmentioned pinions so that they form a different drivingconnection between said driving means and said rst-mentioned pinion fordriving-the latter at a different speed.

32. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a frame, ashaft rotatably mounted within said frame, means for aflixing a hatblock to one end of said shaft, a casing concentrically interflttingwith the end of said frame opposite said last-mentioned means, a motorcasing concentrically interfitting with said last-mentioned casing,means in said first-mentioned casing forming a driving connectionbetween said motor and said shaft, and means for securing saidfirstmentioned casing to said frame including a cantilever studprojecting from said frame.

33. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a frame, ashaft rotatably mounted within said frame, means for afxing a hat blockto one end of said shaft, a casing a portion of which is concentric andinterts with the end of said frame opposite said last-mentioned means, amotor a portion of Whose casing is concentric and interts with saidfirst-mentioned casing, the axis of the armature of said motor beingsubstantially at right angles to the axis of said shaft', means in saidfirst-mentioned casing forming a driving connection between said motorand said shaft, and means for securing said firstmentioned casing tosaid frame.

34. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a frame, ashaft rotatably mounted within said frame, means for securing a hatblock to one end of said shaft, an iron mounted on said frame, means foroscillating said iron about said block, a worm wheel mounted in saidframe to rotate on an axis at right angles to the axis of the shaft,said shaft having a worm portion meshing with said worm wheel, meansforming a driving connection between said worm wheel and saidoscillating means, a casing secured to the end of said frame oppositesaid block and in registry with said shaft, a motor whose casing issecured to said last-mentioned casing, means in said first-mentionedcasing forming a driving connection between said motor and said shaft,and means including a cantilever stud extending from said frame forconnecting said first-men-y tioned casing to said frame. y

35. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a frame, ashaft rotatably mounted within said frame, means for securing a hatblock to one end of said shaft, an iron mounted on said frame, means foroscillating said iron about said block, a worm wheel mounted insaidjframe to rotate on an axis at right angles to the axis of theshaft, said shaft having a worm'l portion meshing with said worm wheel,meansl forming a driving connectionbetween said wormk wheel and saidoscillating means, a casing, a portion of which is concentric andinterfits with theend of said frame opposite' said block and in'registrywith one end of said shaft, a motor whose casing is connected to saidfirst-mentioned casing and the axis of whose armature is at right anglesto the axis of said shaft, means forming a driving connection betweensaid motor and said shaft, and means connecting said first-mentionedcasing to said frame. `i

36. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a frame, ashaft rotatably mounted within said frame, means for securing a hatblock to one end of said shaft, aniron mounted on said frame, means foroscillating said iron about said block, a worm wheel mounted in saidframe to rotate on an axis at right angles to the axis of the shaft,said shaft having a worm portion meshing with said worm wheel, meansforming a driving connection between said worm wheel and saidoscillating means, a casing, a portion of which is concentric andinterts with the end of said frame opposite said block and in registrywith one end of said shaft, a motor whose casing is connected to saidfirst-mentioned casing and the axis of whose armature is at right anglesto the axis of said shaft, means forming a driving connection betweensaid motor and said shaft, and means for securing said first-mentionedcasing to said frame including a cantilever arm extending from saidcasing and a cantilever stud extending from said frame and rigidlyconnected to said arm.

JOHN C. DORAN,

Eecutor of the Last Will and Testament of James F. Doran, Deceased;

